Carmichael CA Realtor| Carmichael Dream Homes| Craig Diez

Craig Diez - Diez & Sigg Properties

Your Thanksgiving Newsletter is Here…

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Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and if you’re like me, you might be wondering how you can celebrate safely this year amid the pandemic…Many of us will forgo our usual traditions and spend this holiday away from our extended family and friends. But that doesn’t mean you can’t think outside of the box and create new traditions. This year is an opportunity to switch things up and show your family, friends, and community all of the ways that you’re thankful for them – even if it can’t be done in person. Below are a few creative ideas to help you celebrate Turkey Day, 2020-style.

This year, we are encouraged to celebrate Thanksgiving “al fresco”, as outdoor gatherings are deemed significantly safer than indoor ones. And with the forecast showing plenty of sunshine and a high of 63 degrees in the Sacramento area, it’s not totally out of the question. So grab some outdoor heaters, crank up that fire pit and throw on a sweater and warm attire for a memorable outdoor celebration. If you are celebrating with different households, create a potluck station where each household can take turns loading up on their favorite dishes. Check out some of the below essentials—from kitchenware to décor – for a successful outdoor gathering. You might find that you already have some of these items lying around the house…

 

 

 

If you are unable to celebrate with extended family and friends, consider organizing a virtual Thanksgiving experience with your loved ones. Not sure how to set up a Zoom call? Check out this helpful guide.

Recipe Swap: Participate in a Thanksgiving recipe swap, where you can share your favorite recipes, test them out and set up a Zoom call for a taste test challenge! You can easily exchange family recipes online using one of these existing Google Doc templates.

Game Night: Who loves game night? Host a virtual game night with these 10 kid-friendly games (Thanksgiving themed of course) that can be played easily from behind the screens. You can also make a game out of these Thanksgiving Trivia questions, where the winner receives an e-gift card or prize of your choice.

Macy’s Parade: For many of us, watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade together is a favorite tradition, and this year they are going virtual. So why not go virtual as well and watch along with your extended family and friends using Zoom or FaceTime? Find out how you can tune in here.

Zoom Dinner: Last but certainly not least, consider hosting a virtual Thanksgiving dinner with loved ones that are not able to attend using Zoom or Facetime. Set up a call using your phone or laptop and share your meal as you normally would, go around the table and say what you are thankful for, catch up with the family…the possibilities are endless!

This Thanksgiving, it’s especially important to help those in need as many have been affected by this pandemic, both health-wise and financially. Below are some ways that you can donate your time, money, and resources to charitable organizations, businesses, and community members.

Support Our Local Restaurants: Many of our local restaurants are especially hurting during this time. Consider ordering takeout this year at one of your favorite spots. Check out Sac Bee’s list of restaurants that are offering delicious Thanksgiving feasts. OpenTable® also has a growing list of its own—see what made the list here.

Help Out a Neighbor in Need: Volunteer to go grocery shopping for a neighbor or friend who may be at-risk or elderly.

Donate to a Food Bank or Shelter: Find a local food kitchen or shelter that may need your help this year. Donate your time or money to the Sacramento Food Bank here or a local shelter here.

Give Back to our Furry Friends: Our furry friends need love too! Volunteer, donate, or adopt a pet at a local shelter, including The Sacramento SPCA or the Front Street Animal Shelter.

Run to Feed the Hungry (Virtual Event): Participate in the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services’ first-ever, Virtual Run to Feed the Hungry event.

Meals on Wheels: Find a Meals on Wheels near you and sign up to volunteer. This widespread organization is committed to supporting our senior neighbors to live healthier and more nourished lives in their own homes.

 

Sending warm, heartfelt wishes from my home to yours this Thanksgiving!

How to Choose the Right Home for You and Your Dog

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After 28 moves, our last six have been with dogs. For the most part, they are pretty flexible as long as they are close to the family. Three airplane trips were a little rough because it was tougher to get to outdoor,dog, restroom facilities. Right now, the dogs are two feet away and happy as usual.

Jaymi Naciri gives some updated data on home purchasers that are looking for the right environment for their dogs.

Data over the last several years shows that millennials are largely driven in their real estate purchase not necessarily by proximity to work or readiness for marriage and kids, but, instead, by their desire to provide a nice environment for their dogs.

Sometimes, people are awesome.

If you’re one of those people that are looking to move in order to create a welcoming home environment for your dog, or a dog you plan to bring in, here are a few things to look for.

A workable floorplan

Do you have an older dog? Getting up and down the stairs might not be so easy. Perhaps a ranch-style home is a better bet at this stage of your life.

A safe yard

When you’re looking at houses, you’re going to want to pay close attention to the outdoor space. Is there enough room for your pooch to run? Is the yard fenced? Is the fence in decent shape?

Other doggie friends

While you may not be keen to meet up with other humans and their pets during this time of social distancing, this too shall pass…right? And, when it does, you may want to make sure you’re positioned in an area that’s dog friendly.

Barking dogs

Then again, the neighbors’ dogs might be nightmares. Having mega-barkers around you is never fun, but it can be especially painful if that barking also gets your dog(s) going.

A park nearby

Even if you don’t have acres for your dog to explore, having a park nearby can be a great substitute.

The wildlife situation

Are you looking at areas where there are coyotes or other predators? You not only have to think about the danger factor but also what life will be like if you can’t put in as doggie door and have to leave your dog alone while you’re gone for large stretches of time.

Is it a busy street?

Dogs get out. It happens. Being in a high-traffic area could increase the possibility that your dog will be injured or worse by a car. Said Homes.com: “You may always have your dog on a leash, but what about those times they escape out the front door when you’re distracted or when a child or visitor or serviceman leaves the door open? Will they rush into a quiet cul-de-sac or a busy street?”

Nooks and crannies

If you do buy a two-story home, that unused space under the stairs would make a great dog hangout area!

Community rules

If you have or are considering a breed like a pit bull or German shepherd, you’ll want to make sure there are no restrictions in the communities you’re considering. Some condo and townhome communities may also have size restrictions, and they’re also may be limitations on how many pets you can have.

“Even if you own a piece of property, it’s not guaranteed that your pets will be welcome there,” said the American Kennel Club (AKC). “Depending on the number and the breed, there can be restrictions within a Homeowners Association (HOA), condo development, or even the city or state, at large.

Click here for the full article

We’re Going to Bounce Back…

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Over the past few months, many of us put our lives on hold and practiced social distancing while we waited for the curve to flatten. Now that we are through the worst of it, we are getting back into the swing of things and adjusting to our new normal.

Under a new state ordinance announced last Friday, Sacramento, Yolo, Placer, and El Dorado counties have shifted into Phase 3 and are now permitting schools, movie theaters, bars, campsites, casinos, day camps, gyms, museums, zoos, spectator-less sports, hotels and more to reopen.

In this month’s newsletter, we take you to some of our favorite locally-owned businesses that are back in action and share some fun “social distance approved” weekend activities and getaways to help you bounce back. We also take a look into the current real estate market and its promising future.

Are you ready to venture out and support local restaurants, shops, and recreational grounds? Check out our “Eat. Stay. Play.” guide below!

Here’s a look at some of our favorite locally-owned restaurants that are now open and ready for your business and support!
  1. The Porch Restaraunt & Bar – Sacramento: The Porch Restaurant was created to give Sacramento a unique dining experience and something out of the ordinary. With a California approach to authentic southern dishes, the Porch is a space where people can come to have a great meal, a refreshing cocktail, and forget about the worries of everyday life. As their name suggests, they even have a charming porch out front where you can enjoy your meal. Be sure to make reservations ahead of time and check out their new safety policies and measures before your next outing.
  2. Serritella’s – Carmichael: Craving Italian? Serritella’s has been a local favorite since 1965. They specialize in Italian food made from scratch like their rich lasagna, mushroom-filled Marsalas, delicious pasta, and tasty shrimp dishes. Their “hot out of the oven” complimentary breadsticks are also delicious! They recently moved to the new Milagro Centre in Carmichael. Call ahead to make reservations here.
  3. Kru Sushi – Sacramento: Kru is a contemporary Japanese restaurant in Sacramento that delivers the freshest ingredients and plates. If you have a special occasion, Kru will be sure to impress with its delicious food and gorgeous atmosphere! In the mood for a roll? Their Firecracker Roll filled with crab, avocado, and topped with salmon, spicy garlic sauce, tempura crisps, jalapenos, and kimchee ponzu is always an excellent choice. You also can’t go wrong with their fresh Nigiri. Reservations are required. Make them online here or call 916.551.1559 to secure your table.
  4. Shangri-La – Fair Oaks: Shangri-la is a vibrant, chic restaurant and bar in the heart of Old Fair Oaks. They have an expansive outdoor patio so you can relax and soak in the sunshine during the day or enjoy the fire pit at night. Their kitchen offers a versatile menu that features locally sourced, seasonal ingredients transformed into elevated comfort food at its best. Order anything from burgers and mac & cheese to tacos and miso salmon. Their custom handcrafted cocktails are nothing short of amazing. Reservations are required. Click here to explore, their menu, check out their new safety policies and guidelines, and reserve a table.
  5. Back Bistro – Folsom: Craving something fresh and light for dinner? Check out Back Bistro in Folsom Palladio. This locally-owned California bistro features a beautiful large quartz bar wrapped around a see-through wine wall. They also have a huge patio, which is great for people-watching. Enjoy a seasonally-focused lunch and dinner menu with 30 inspiring wines by the glass, microbrew beers, and premium cocktails. Check out their menu or make reservations here.
  6. Nixtaco – Roseville: Nixtaco in Roseville has been locally owned since 2015 and features authentic “farm to fork” Mexican cuisine using the finest ingredients and traditional techniques. Everything down to the tortilla is authentic and made from scratch. Check out their raving Yelp reviews here with plenty of recommendations and photos to help you with your next order.
Wanna get away? Seeing as most of us have been sheltering in our homes for the past few months, we thought we’d share a few “social distance approved” ideas and overnight trips in the greater Sacramento area. If you don’t feel comfortable staying overnight, these spots are close enough to make a “daycation” out of it.
  1. Camp Far West Reservoir: Bring your boat, jet skis, pool floats or fishing pole to Camp Far West for a fun day at the lake. Camp Far is located at the junction of Placer, Nevada and Yuba counties and is about a 45-minute drive from Sacramento. Enjoy a 2,002 surface-acre lake with 29 miles of shoreline, rolling hills and oak trees. You can make a day trip out of it or book ahead for a fun-filled weekend of camping. Overnight reservations are booking up fast and can only be made on Monday and Tuesday from 8 am to 2 pm by calling 530-633-0803.
  2. Folsom Lake: Folsom Lake & Recreation Area is another great opportunity to immerse yourself in the great outdoors by hiking, running, biking, boating, fishing and more. If you enjoy fishing, Folsom Lake offers trout, catfish, big and smallmouth bass or perch. Make sure to stop by and see the historic Folsom Powerhouse -once called “the greatest operative electrical plant on the American continent”! Click here to see which areas are currently open and which are closed.
  3. Lake Tahoe: Lake Tahoe is the perfect escape from both the summer heat and your home! The area is infamous for its wide array of recreational activities including water sports, boating, hiking, and more. Both North and South Lake Tahoe are excited to welcome guests back to the region with a variety of hotels, bed & breakfasts and vacation rentals now open to the public. If you’d like to stay overnight, check out these South Lake Tahoe accommodations and places to stay in North Lake Tahoe.
  4. Apple Hill: Take a scenic drive just past Placerville and visit the select Apple Hill farms, wineries, and bed & breakfasts. Several of the Apple Hill wineries began wine service last month including Fenton Herriot Vineyards, Edio Vineyards, and Madrona Vineyards. Check out their latest blog post with additional information here and their upcoming events schedule. Hoping to stay overnight? Plan your stay here.

If you are not able or ready to visit stores and restaurants in person just yet, there are still things you can do to support your local businesses:

  1. Shop online or via phone. Many local retailers have online shopping available; local and independent shops are oftentimes more than willing to help you get what you need via phone, if necessary.
  2. If you do not need anything specific at this time but still want to support local, purchase gift cards to spend later in various storefront businesses.
  3. For restaurants, order takeout or delivery.
  4. You can buy gift cards from many local restaurants, too.

Now that we’re past the worst of the storm and are returning to normalcy, you might be asking yourself, “How has the real estate market been impacted?”

According to the Sacramento Association of Realtors® most recent housing statistics, the numbers continue to look good for real estate. Inventory is tight but prices are stable and low-interest rates continually hold up the market. We believe the market will be the one shining light in the economy in the next six months to a year.

Just Keep Swimming…Your May Newsletter is Here!

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As we continue to self-quarantine at home, many of us might be feeling disconnected, lonely, and stir-crazy—all of which are perfectly normal feelings to have at this time. However, it’s important to remember that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Coronavirus numbers are beginning to stabilize as a result of social distancing, and California is just weeks away from modifying its stay-at-home orders.

So while it may be difficult, just know that we are all in this together. In the words of Dory from Finding Nemo, when life gets us down we must, “Just Keep Swimming…” until we cross the finish line together.

I also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our real “lifebuoys” out there. Thank you to our healthcare workers, first responders, police officers, firefighters, grocery store workers, and all of the brave heroes on the frontline for serving and loving your communities during this critical time.

This month’s newsletter is dedicated to answering some common questions and concerns that sellers and buyers might have during this time. I am also sharing a fun DIY home project to keep you and your loved ones busy and entertained!

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The coronavirus pandemic has brought much of the country to a screeching halt. But just because people are stuck at home, it doesn’t mean your home sale has to come to a screeching halt too. You can sell your home in the midst of this challenging time—as long as you’re safe.

Here are some precautions homeowners should take in order to sell their home safely during the COVID-19 crisis:

Embrace virtual showings: You don’t need a swarm of potential buyers walking in and out of your house; it’s not safe for you or them. Instead, have your real estate agent vet buyers and give them virtual tours of your home.

A recent survey from realtor.com found that, if given access to the right information and technology features, nearly ¼ of respondents (24 percent) would be willing to buy a home without seeing it in person. The number is even higher for younger homebuyers, at 29 percent.

But what information and tech features do buyers need to make a purchase? According to the survey, the features most important to would-be buyers when making a decision about buying a property remotely include:

  • A virtual tour of the home (61 percent)
  • Accurate, detailed listing information (58 percent)
  • Accurate, detailed neighborhood information (53 percent)
  • High-quality listing photos (51 percent)
  • A video walk-through with their real estate agent (39 percent)

Give me a call today to learn more about our virtual tours, professional photography, and 3D Matterport technology. 

Practice safety measures for in-person showings: If you have a buyer who has already been vetted and is extremely interested in the property, they may want to see your home in person before writing an offer. Prior to allowing anyone into your home, make sure to thoroughly clean and disinfect all surfaces to protect potential buyers—and then make sure to do the same after the in-person tour to protect yourself and your family.
The coronavirus pandemic is changing the way people buy and sell homes. But with the right safety measures, there’s no reason it has to derail your home sale.

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With social distancing in full swing, searching for a home in the traditional sense—including going to tour homes in person—is getting put on the back burner. But just because you can’t see as many homes in person, it doesn’t mean your home search has to suffer!

A recent article from realtor.com outlined tips for conducting a virtual house hunt that’s just as good as the real thing:

Learn how to read an online listing and what’s hiding: You don’t want to waste your time virtually touring homes that aren’t going to be the right fit. When going through a listing, look for red flags that might indicate that a listing isn’t what it seems—and isn’t worth your time (for example, a complete lack of photos of the home’s interior or photos that appear to be stretched out to make a room appear bigger). It’s also important to stick to your original home search criteria whether that applies to living in a particular neighborhood and location or requiring a certain bed/bath count—it can be easy to venture off course to other neighborhoods and homes with just a click of a button, but sticking to your criteria is key.

Ask your real estate agent to go into detail during virtual tours: Thanks to technology like Zoom or FaceTime, your agent can take you on a virtual tour of potential properties. But video doesn’t catch all the small details you would catch if you were physically in the space (like the finishes on cabinets, or crown molding on the ceiling)—so make sure to ask your agent to talk you through those details.

Check out the neighborhood: There are a ton of interactive map tools and neighborhood guides on the internet that will give you insight into a potential home’s neighborhood. Ask your agent to send detailed neighborhood reports and information.

Bottom line? With a little creativity, technology, and patience, there’s no reason your virtual home search can’t be just as effective as a traditional search!

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The kitchen has (not surprisingly) become one of the most popular areas in our homes these days…So much so that our fridge may see us more times a day than the outside world…All jokes aside, you might consider using this extra time at home as an opportunity to add that extra “wow” factor to your kitchen. The best part? These DIY home renovation ideas don’t require a lot of time or money:

Build a custom copper rack for your pots and pans: Easy and inexpensive, a custom copper rack for your pots and pans is a great way to add a stylish edge to your kitchen. Just hang a copper pipe from your wall or ceiling, hang your pots and pans with inexpensive hooks, and you have a unique focal feature that instantly elevates your kitchen design. Click here for DIY inspiration. If you’d rather leave it to the pros, there are lots of affordable, ready to assemble options like this elegant Copper Rack from Home Depot.

Add a new light fixture above your kitchen table: If you have a kitchen table, switching out the light fixture above the table can instantly breathe new life into the space, making your kitchen feel more modern and on-trend. Pinterest has light fixture ideas for just about any style of kitchen. Click here to find one that matches the design and look of your kitchen.

Add crown molding to cabinets: Adding crown molding to the tops of your cabinets accomplishes a few different goals. It adds visual interest, makes the cabinets look more expensive, and also draws the eye upward, making cabinets look taller. Check out this DIY tutorial here.

Small changes to your kitchen can make a big impact on your home—and with a little time and effort, you can easily make those changes in a single weekend.

Stuck at home? Here’s how you can stay connected, healthy and happy! 

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In an effort to contain the outbreak of the new coronavirus, most of us are self-quarantining in the comfort and safety of our own homes. And while we are all doing our part to protect our family members, friends, and community, it’s safe to say that we may be feeling a bit stir-crazy. 

That’s why we’ve put together some of our favorite ways to stay connected with friends and family, give back to our local community, and stay entertained (and yes sane) during this period of social distancing. Just remember that while we may feel alone at times, we are all in this together.

Wondering how you can give back to your community? Check out some of the ways that you can help those affected by this pandemic.

Foster a furry friend: Social distancing can be lonely but many Americans have found the perfect solution—fostering a pet in need. While some local organizations are reporting a rise in foster applications, many have been forced to shut down and are in dire need of fosters, donations and much-needed resources. Click here to find a shelter near you.

Donate masks and supplies: Due to the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), Sacramento County has started accepting donations from the community to give to health professionals and emergency responders.

  • The county is accepting the following unused items:  • N95 mask of any type
  • Surgical or procedural masks
  • Non-latex medical gloves
  • Hand sanitizers
  • Disinfectant sprays

The donation site is at 9680 Conservation Road in Sacramento. Donations are accepted Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sutter Health, Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health and UC Davis Medical Center are also accepting community PPE donations. Each hospital has a list of items needed from the community. Click on the above links to learn more.

Give the gift of blood: Now more than ever, blood centers are in need of life-saving blood supplies. Sacramento-area residents can donate blood through Vitalant by making an appointment online or calling 877-25-VITAL. The American Red Cross is also holding community blood drives throughout the greater-Sacramento area. To find a blood drive near you, visit the American Red Cross online.

Blood centers encourage donors to make appointments in advance so staff can prepare and ensure there is adequate space for social distancing. Trips to blood donation sites are generally permissible even in areas with “shelter in place” directives, as they are deemed medically necessary. The coronavirus does not pose any known risk to blood donors during the donation process, according to AABB, a national organization advancing transfusions and cellular therapies. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration has reiterated that there have been no reported or suspected cases of transfusion-transmitted coronavirus.

Have you been binge-watching Netflix a little too much lately? Below are some ideas to keep your mind, body, and home healthy during this time.

Read something new: Escape reality for a bit and enter into a world of action or adventure. Download a free eBook at manybooks.net or buy books, magazines and newspapers straight from your Nook, Kindle or iPad.

Take up an exercising regime: Feeling restless? There are plenty of virtual fitness programs and apps being offered right now. There are also lots of beautiful hiking and walking trails in the Sacramento area. Click here for some inspiration and be sure to practice social distancing.

Start prepping your garden: Soak in the sunshine and prep your garden for spring! Here are ten tips to get your garden in tip-top shape.

Do some spring cleaning: Being stuck at home means there’s no excuse to put off cleaning. Check out these five tips for spring cleaning this year.

Spruce up your walls with some fresh paint: Now that you’ve had more time to stare at your walls, you might be considering a fresh coat of paint. Check out this year’s most popular paint trends here.

Go Down the Pinterest rabbit hole: Check out the Pinterest “Stay Safe. Stay Inspired” Board where you will find 26 sections with delicious recipes, activities for kids, home teaching ideas, ways to organize your home, happy hour recipes and much more!

Visit a virtual museum: Thanks to technology, we can still visit a museum even if we can’t leave the house. Check out Travel and Leisure’s list of 12 museums that offer virtual tours. You can “visit” famous locations in the US or abroad in Seoul, Berlin, Florence and more. You can also get your art fix with the Google Arts and Culture app for iPhone and Android. The app lets you view paintings, read up on masterpieces, and find your famous painting doppelganger. The Georgia Aquarium and the Monterey Bay Aquarium have turned on webcams so you can still watch otters, fish, and penguins without the crowds. Last but certainly not least, be sure to check out this video of a puppy field trip at an Aquarium!

Host a Netflix viewing party: If you and your friends have a Netflix subscription, you can schedule a time to watch a movie or show synced together. A free Google Chrome extension called Netflix Party syncs video playback so you can play and pause at the same time. It also has a group chat feature so you can keep the conversation going while you watch.

Stream a virtual concert: As we adjust to this new norm, many artists are taking their shows online.  Check out Billboard’s list of live streams and virtual concerts to watch here. Also be sure to visit Live Nation’s website for additional live concerts, streaming and virtual events.

Support your local restaurants and shops: If you’re not in the mood to cook, now is a great opportunity to support your local restaurants and shops. Many restaurants are offering takeout or no-contact delivery options.

 

Interested in learning more about the current real estate market? Contact me today!

Craig Diez

916-425-5884|Contact Craig